Thursday, May 22, 2014

I don't share tons about my 9-5 (more like 7 - 4.... but whatever), but for those of y'all who don't know - I'm a middle school Math teacher. I teach 7th Grade general Math, 8th Grade Pre-Algebra and Honors Algebra 1. This is my 8th year teaching and I love it just as much as I did the first year :) I love the math and I love the kids. Yes, I'm teaching - but I'm getting to hang out with 100 awesome middle schoolers while I do it.

So - because it's exam week - and school has pretty much consumed my life the last few days, I thought I'd share something 'unique' that I do in my classroom.

It's no secret that exams are stressful. Being tested on 18 weeks of cumulative material in six academic core classes is a beating. Middle schoolers love things about them, so, in order to try to make my exam a little less dreadful, I've turned it into something more fun...

I go through pictures from the year and I write exam questions that correspond with the pics...

I use pictures of the kids as well as memes and other funny pics :)

I'm still testing them on the same info, but they're smiling and text anxiety seems to kind of melt away :)

I like to "pick" on little quirky things about students...

... as well as little inside jokes we have as a class.

I even throw picks of my kiddos on there with my students as well :)

This year my eighth graders started this STUPID game where they make their hand into almost like a mouth and if you look at it they say "GOTCHA!". I know. Middle School is wacky. ANYWAY, as I was making their exam I took a picture of myself doing the gotcha hand (yes, I'm wearing my blardigan and no makeup) and stuck it in the middle of the test. It was so fun to see them flip to that page throughout the period and I "got" everyone :)

Leading up to exams, I like to throw some funny pics on the Smartboard during reviews as well. Here are a few of my favorites...

This one is posted on the outside of my door :)

And just in case any of y'all teach middle or high school and are about to give exams, here is how I let students know their grades without them bum rushing me during passing periods...

1) I number their exams 1-15 (or however many kids there are in the class), in the upper left hand corner with a colored marker.

2) I shuffle them and pass them out in no particular order.

3) Students are responsible for remembering their exam number - this way I can post their exam grade, semester grade and final grades on my door without anyone knowing each others info.

Anyway, if you're not a teacher - hopefully you enjoyed the little peek into my work life and if you are a teacher hopefully you picked up a tip or two from my weird tactics :)

Just to be clear. I have anxiety right now after reading this post. Math was NOT MY THING. Still isn't. But you make it soooooo much fun!!!!!! Maybe math would have been my thing if you would have been my teacher?! Be certain that I would have driven you crazy with thousands of questions and before and after school help sessions. Yes. I was THAT kid.

Wow....you are an awesome teacher!!! First to think of these things, then to actually do them. You clearly are not burned out!!!! I hope this love of teaching stays with you forever. Math can be so intimidating and you are doing an excellent job of making it less so!!!! Teachers all over the country are in awe of you...or jealous...or cursing your creativity....ha, ha.....so neat you shared this with us!!!!

What a FUN teacher! Definitely takes a special kind to teach middle school ! This makes me wish I was still teaching and could make my exams FUN ! ha ha!Love seeing your pics of the school progression. McKinney Christian was just beginning when we left there in 1994....looks wonderful!

My math teachers definitely weren't as cool as you. If only my son will be able to have a teacher like you - are you sure you don't want to move back to Canada?! (and then teach public school in my school district).Happy Summer to you!

I so wish my oldest daughter could have had you as her middle school math teacher! She had 6 different teachers in 3 years =( Your love of math and your students really comes through in your exam. Thank you for making math fun and interesting! Your students a very lucky!!

Unfortunately with the area I live in, we have good teachers but not great. You appear to be SUPER AWESOME. My sons teacher is very over worked/under paid and I think she is beat down. My son has struggled with 8th grade math this year. Middle school is SO hard for boys & girls. Awkward ages. We are waiting on his SECOND Staar exam to come back.... fingers crossed we passes. I lvoe my son...but he struggles to test well.

That test idea using pictures is awesome! I am going to start doing that. I teach 8th grade religion, Algebra, social studies and science, but Algebra is by far my favorite, and all the kids know it! Your classes sound like a ton of fun!

I wish I had a math teacher like you in middle school. Seriously! Maybe then it wouldn't of been so intimidating?! It's so nice to see how much you love your job. It's goes without saying, those kids are lucky to have you!

That would have been awesome if you were my math teacher. I just passed this onto a friend who's a high school math teacher, I told him he HAD to do this for finals this year...have a great summer with your kids!

Andrea!!! I love this idea! And I live that you love your job. Teaching is more than just a job for me too. I absolutely love it and it is so FUN!!! You are a great teacher and your students are so blessed to have you!! Happy Summer!

I wish I would have had a middle school math teacher like you... math was (and still isn't) my thing. I will never forget it- I was in the 5th grade when we started getting into long division (I think.. I'm 25 now lol) and that's when I started struggling. My Mom asked my teacher if I could come in before school or stay after school for some tutoring sessions, and my teacher to her NO because I wasn't failing her class. Can you believe that?! I will always blame that as the demise of my math career lol. Your students are so lucky and blessed to have you as a teacher!

I taught 7th Grade English Language Arts for 6 years before becoming a school counselor. I worked with some pretty creative teachers, but none of them did anything like this. Seriously, you are the coolest teacher EVER!!!

I love this and love your creativity! My oldest is in 7th grade and in Algebra 1 at a Christian school so the way you are reminds me of how her teachers are and why we pick the school we do!!:). She would love your test!!

This was SUCH a fun peek into your work life!! You are one amazingggg teacher!! I am with Erika...why didn't they make test like this when I was in school!? Haha! Seriously best.teacher.ever you are!!!